Falcon 9 Launches Starlink Satellites G6-35

Photo Credit: Dennis Hlavsa and Paradox Adventure Photography for SpaceX FrontPage

Thirty-five minutes before launch, super-chilled RP-1 kerosene flowed into both stages. Liquid oxygen, needed for combustion, began to fill simultaneously. Sixteen minutes before t-zero, LOX flowed in the second stage, which is always a brand-new vehicle. Computers ensured
milestones were executed on time, including engine chill-down, tank pressurization and ignition.
The Falcon 9 rose into high clouds then headed southeast. Booster B1067 separation occurred two and a half minutes after launch. As the second stage ignited its lone engine moments later, B1067 performed a flip maneuver to start its reuse journey.
Grid fins and cold gas thrusters aligned the descending stage. Six minutes after launch, three engines started for the entry burn. This began to slow down the rocket as it lowered to the Atlantic Ocean. Aligned with A Shortfall of Gravitas, an automated barge, the landing burn allowed B1067 to gently touch down on the automated barge’s deck.
As the second stage continued to propel the payload, the fairings which protect the cargo during atmospheric ascent, split in two then peeled away from the rocket. They coasted to the ocean, slowed by parachutes. A boat, Doug, will scoop the fairing halves for reuse.
Second stage fired for six minutes then shut down to enter a coast phase. One short burn occurred before deploying 23 Starlink V2 mini satellites, about an hour and five minutes after launch. The spent stage performs adjustments to line it up with entry and burn-up over the Indian Ocean. Starlink 6.35 group will join over 5,500 operational machines, providing high-speed low- latency internet to underserved rural locations, cruise ships, airlines, and mobile users.

By John Howard